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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Research

Insular functional connectivity in migraine with aura

Authors: Cédric Gollion, Fleur Lerebours, Federico Nemmi, Germain Arribarat, Fabrice Bonneville, Vincent Larrue, Patrice Péran

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Introduction

Insula plays an integrating role in sensory, affective, emotional, cognitive and autonomic functions in migraine, especially in migraine with aura (MA). Insula is functionally divided into 3 subregions, the dorsoanterior, the ventroanterior and the posterior insula respectively related to cognition, emotion, and somatosensory functions. This study aimed at investigating functional connectivity of insula subregions in MA.

Methods

Twenty-one interictal patients with MA were compared to 18 healthy controls (HC) and 12 interictal patients with migraine without aura (MO) and were scanned with functional MRI during the resting state. Functional coupling of the insula was comprehensively tested with 12 seeds located in the right and left, dorsal, middle, ventral, anterior and posterior insula, by using a seed-to-voxel analysis.

Results

Seed-to-voxel analysis revealed, in MA, a strong functional coupling of the right and left antero-dorsal insula with clusters located in the upper cerebellum. The overlap of these cerebellar clusters corresponded to the vermis VI. These functional couplings were not correlated to duration of MA, frequency of MA attacks nor time since last MA attack, and were not found in MO.

Discussion

The anterior insula and superior cerebellum, including vermis VI, are components of the central Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) network. As these regions are involved in the control of cardiovascular parasympathetic tone, we hypothesize that this connectivity may reflect the cardiovascular features of MA.

Conclusion

The anterior dorsal insula is connected with vermis VI in MA patients in the resting state. This connectivity may reflect the cardiovascular features of MA.

Trial registration

NCT02708797.

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Title: Insular functional connectivity in migraine with aura
Authors: Cédric Gollion
Fleur Lerebours
Federico Nemmi
Germain Arribarat
Fabrice Bonneville
Vincent Larrue
Patrice Péran
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Milan
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Migraine
Aura
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-022-01473-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Insular functional connectivity in migraine with aura

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Trial registration

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Trial registration

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